Political Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is within the United Nations, specifically under the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General (PESG) for Sudan. The UN is an international organization founded in 1945, with a mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations. It operates in numerous countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to various humanitarian, developmental, and peacekeeping efforts. The UN aims to foster international collaboration to address global challenges, including conflict resolution, human rights, and sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The Political Affairs Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan. This position involves engaging with Sudanese, regional, and international stakeholders to facilitate political dialogue and efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The officer will be responsible for planning and implementing operational activities related to political affairs, conflict prevention, and mediation. The role requires a comprehensive understanding of the political landscape in Sudan and the ability to integrate a rights-based approach into all activities. The officer will also provide technical expertise on security stabilization arrangements and coordinate research and analysis on political and security issues. This position demands strong analytical skills, the ability to draft concise reports, and the capacity to maintain effective relationships with various stakeholders, including government officials and intergovernmental bodies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Political Affairs Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including: planning and implementing operational activities related to political affairs and conflict resolution; providing technical expertise on ceasefire and security arrangements; coordinating research and analysis on political issues; preparing briefing notes and talking points for senior officials; advising on negotiation strategies and operational plans; developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders; designing conflict resolution initiatives; supporting inter-agency programs and projects; and contributing to the formulation of the unit's work program and budget. The officer will also represent the team at conferences and seminars, ensuring that the UN's objectives and strategies are effectively communicated and understood.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a thorough understanding of the UN's role in preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution. They should demonstrate strong analytical skills, the ability to evaluate complex political situations, and the capacity to build effective relationships with stakeholders. The position requires a commitment to gender equality and the ability to incorporate gender perspectives into all areas of work. Candidates should also exhibit professionalism, teamwork, and strong planning and organizational skills, ensuring that they can manage multiple priorities effectively.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security, development management, or conflict resolution is required. Candidates must have at least two years of field experience in political affairs within a UN peace operation or a similar international organization, with experience in conflict or post-conflict settings. Additionally, three years of experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, and reporting is necessary, along with experience in supporting mediation efforts and working on security arrangements and ceasefires, particularly in the Horn of Africa.

Languages:
English is the required working language for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I in all language skills.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 31 December 202

• If the selected candidate is a current UN staff member, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position may be limited to internal candidates and is subject to the funding source. The UN is committed to diversity and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and the UN does not request personal bank information from applicants.